Chapter 111: This Means War

Ginnie

“How dare you lay your filthy hands on me!”

Kenna’s voice cracked across the ballroom as she turned fully toward me, one hand flying to her cheek.

Her eyes burned with fury.

Despite it, I met her gaze without flinching.

Five years ago, the mere sight of Kenna’s anger would have been enough to make my entire body tremble.

But that woman was gone.

Before I could react, Kenna took one furious step toward me. She raised her hand.

But before her palm could come anywhere near my face, another hand shot out and caught her wrist.

Kenna’s hand froze mid-air.

Slowly, her eyes moved to the hand around her wrist.

Varkos.

For a moment, she looked more shocked by his action than she had been by my slap.

“Don’t make that mistake, Kenna.” His voice was barely a whisper.

“You're stopping me?” Her lips parted in disbelief. “This woman just slapped your wife in front of everyone, and you're stopping me from hitting her back?”

Varkos’s gaze flickered briefly toward me before returning to Kenna.

“I'm not defending anyone.”

Kenna yanked her wrist free.

“You are defending her.”

“I am trying to keep you from making a scene.”

“A scene?” A bitter laugh escaped Kenna. “She humiliated me!” Her voice rose again. “You should be angry with her, not me.”

“Just quit being dramatic, Kenna.”

The moment the words slipped out of Varkos’s mouth, something flickered across Kenna’s expression.

Hurt.

Anger.

For a brief moment, she stared at Varkos as if he had betrayed her. Then she turned toward me.

She stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.

“You think you've won?” Her eyes were cold enough to freeze blood. “I'm going to make you regret coming back here.”

A cruel smile curved across her lips.

“I'll make you wish you had stayed wherever you were hiding for the last five years.”

I leaned slightly closer and met her gaze without flinching, despite the fear tightening in my chest.

“Then I'll be waiting.”

Her eyes flashed.

For a second, I thought she might attack me again. Instead, she stepped back.

Without another word, she spun around and stormed away. Her heels struck the marble floor with sharp, angry clicks.

The ballroom remained frozen until she disappeared through the doors. Only then did I realize how tightly my fingers had curled into my palms.

“Ginnie.” Adrian was already beside me, his eyes moving over my face. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“I'm fine.”

His hand settled lightly against my back. The familiar warmth grounded me.

Across the ballroom, Varkos took a step toward us. Before he could come closer, Adrian shifted slightly, placing himself beside me.

“I apologize for my wife's behavior.”

Adrian's expression remained calm.

“I accept your apology.” He spoke quietly. “My wife can defend herself, obviously. But I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting her.”

Varkos glanced at me before looking back at Adrian.

“I understand.”

“Good.”

A brief silence followed before Varkos extended his hand.

“Despite everything, I hope this doesn't affect our business relationship.”

Adrian looked at the offered hand for a moment before taking it.

“It won't.”

“Enjoy the rest of the evening,” Varkos said. “I have to get home now.”

Before either of us could say a word, he turned toward the ballroom exit and walked away.

I don't know why I suddenly looked back.

Perhaps because some part of me had been waiting for him to.

For the briefest moment, our eyes met. His eyes searched mine as if he could still find the woman who had loved him five years ago.

I looked away quickly.

A few moments later, I looked back again. He was already walking toward the exit. I watched until the ballroom doors closed behind him before forcing my eyes away.

The music slowly resumed.

Conversations returned, and people began moving again.

But somehow the ballroom no longer felt the same with Varkos’s presence. And I hated that a small part of me wished he hadn’t left.

A moment later, one of the investors approached Adrian with a polite smile.

“Mr. Veynas, could I have a word with you?”

Adrian nodded before turning to me.

“I’ll be back,”

I forced a smile.

“Go ahead.”

He followed the investor away, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the ballroom.

My thoughts were still circling each other when a soft voice pulled me back.

“Ma'am?”

My head snapped toward the sound.

The young servant from earlier stood a few feet away. Her eyes were red, as though she had been crying.

“Ma'am, thank you.”

She suddenly lowered herself, but I immediately grabbed her arm.

“Please don't kneel.”

“But you saved my life.” Tears filled her eyes. “If you hadn't stopped Madam Kenna…” Her voice broke. “I don't know what would have happened to me.”

I squeezed her arm gently.

“You made a mistake. That's all.”

A faint smile curved her lips.

“Thank you.”

I nodded.

“But you don't have to work at Blood Moon Park Villa anymore,” I said quietly. “You can work for me instead.”

The moment the words left my mouth, her expression changed. Fear replaced the small smile on her face.

I frowned.

“Did I say something wrong?”

She shook her head quickly.

“No, ma'am.”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“I…” Her gaze darted toward the ballroom entrance. “I can't work for you.”

“Why?”

She looked around again, as though making sure no one was watching us.

“Because we owe a huge debt to Madam Kenna.” Her voice trembled. “My mother was sick, and we had no money. Madam Kenna paid for her treatment.”

She swallowed.

“Now I work for her.”

“That doesn't explain why you can't leave.” I lowered my voice. “Or is there something more you’re not telling me?”

Her lips parted slightly, but nothing came out.

“Please don't ask me anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because if she finds out I spoke to you…” Her voice trailed off.

“What will she do?”

The girl looked at me with wide, frightened eyes before instinctively taking a step backward.

“I have to go.”

She turned toward the ballroom exit.  A few steps later, she stopped and glanced back over her shoulder.

“Thank you again, ma'am.”

Then she hurried away.

I stood there, watching her disappear among the guests. My mind remained fixed on her words.

I had returned to Bleeding Rose with one purpose.

Revenge.

But now, something else had begun to take shape inside me.

What exactly had Kenna been doing to the human slaves in Bleeding Rose all these years?

And how many of them had she trapped beneath the walls of Blood Moon Park Villa?

My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress.

I needed answers.

And this time, I wasn't going to stop until I found them.